Best Tablets 2023: The Best iPads, Android and Windows

91techinfo's top picks for the best tablets you can buy right now in 2023 will help you find the best tablet for you.

Best Tablets 2023: The Best iPads, Android and Windows
Best tablets 2022

The best tablet for your needs can be difficult to find, whether you're looking to outfit your children with inexpensive, long-lasting tablets for school or simply want a beautiful second screen to keep near the couch.

We test all of the top tablets in our lab and in the real world to help you decide which tablet is right for you. In general, Amazon tablets are excellent for children and those on a tight budget. iPads are ideal for students and creative professionals, especially with Apple's new M1 chip and new displays in the iPad Pro 2023 — which we reviewed late last year. We also reviewed the 2023 iPad and iPad mini, which made the list below.

Without further ado, here are the best tablets available right now, based on our testing and reviews.

What are the Best Tablets?

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The iPad is synonymous with tablets for a reason: when you buy the entry-level iPad, you're guaranteed to get a great screen and powerful audio. However, when it comes to selecting the best iPad for the majority of people, we tend to recommend the new iPad Air 2020. It's a little more expensive, but if you want to use an Apple Pencil or an attachable keyboard, it's the best iPad for the money because it supports the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil (2nd Gen). However, if you don't plan on typing a lot, the new iPad mini is worth considering. The iPad Pro 2023 is the best tablet for those who want a device for work and play; available in both 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes, the iPad Pro 2021 delivers great performance and a great screen, especially if you splurge for the 12.9-inch model with its new mini-LED display.

The Amazon Fire tablet line has some excellent options for parents or those on a tight budget. While their Amazon content-first interface may be off-putting to those who do not live in the Prime world, their prices are unbeatable, and Amazon is gradually updating them to USB-C, which is available in the Fire HD 10 and will be added to the Fire HD 8 2020. For those who prefer to take physical notes, the reMarkable 2 tablet is a one-of-a-kind slate that perfectly replicates the feel of pen and paper.

You can also look into the Microsoft Surface Go 2, which improves on the original by lasting longer, thinning its bezels, and offering a faster processor option. All of this, plus a kickstand as powerful as the one used to prop up its bigger brother, the Surface Pro. It also runs Windows 10, which is arguably the most capable operating system available on any tablet today.

The Best Tablets You Can Buy Today

1. SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S7 PLUS

The best Android tablet in the world

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 575g

Dimensions: 285 x 185 x 5.7 mm

Screen: 12.4-inch AMOLED, 1752 x 2800

CPU: Snapdragon 865 Plus

Storage: 128GB/256GB

Battery: 10,090mAh

Rear cameras: 13MP + 5MP

Front camera: 8MP

REASONS TO BUY

+Stunning OLED display

+Luxe build quality

+Super thin design

+Powerful internal hardware

REASONS TO AVOID

-Not all apps are optimized

-Expensive for a tablet

 

If you're looking for the best Android tablet available today, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is the slate to go with. It's a powerhouse that not only competes in terms of performance with the iPad Pros but also in terms of style and builds quality – this thing is only 5.7mm thick!

The star of the show is the Tab S7 Plus' 12.4-inch AMOLED screen, which has a super crisp resolution of 1752 x 2800 and a refresh rate of 120Hz, which will be music to Android tablet lovers ears. Yes, the screen on this slate is buttery smooth, making navigating it's Android 10 OS a breeze.

Aside from that, the tablet is powered by the flagship Snapdragon 865 Plus processor and has up to 256GB of internal storage space. To be honest, even if you choose the 128GB model (which is less expensive), you can easily upgrade its storage because this tablet has a microSD card slot.

 Add in Samsung's excellent S Pen Digital Stylus and a keyboard cover (sold separately, sadly), and you've got yourself not just a slate, but a highly capable creative tool and laptop replacement. That makes the exorbitant price much more understandable.

 There's also a 5G model, a triple camera system, and excellent Samsung apps – basically, this is one killer slate, and in our opinion, the best Android tablet on the market today.

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2. APPLE IPAD AIR (2020)

The best tablet for most people

SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 458g
Dimensions: 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm
OS: iPadOS 15
Screen size: 10.9
Resolution: 2360 x 1640
CPU: Apple A14 Bionic
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB/256GB
Battery: 28.6-watt-hour
Rear camera: 12MP
Front camera: 7MP
REASONS TO BUY
+Very fast and slick
+Immersive spatial audio
+Detailed screen
+Stylish and light
+Apple Pencil 2 support
REASONS TO AVOID
-Mediocre cameras
-No 120Hz or OLED screen
-Screen only medium brightness

Our top tablet recommendation for the majority of people? That is the most recent Apple iPad Air.

This is technically the iPad Air 4, but it is more like the latest iPad Pro, minus some of the more niche pro features – you can see a full comparison of iPad Air (2020) vs iPad Pro here (2020).

However, Apple Pencil 2 support is present, as is a smart connector for a keyboard, making this a slightly better proposition than the entry-level iPad for serious typists and those who will need to use their tablet for work. That extra power goes a long way toward producing a more laptop-like experience.

This tablet currently sits firmly in the mid-range of the Apple iPad tablet range, which should tell you everything you need to know about whether it's the best tablet for you. It's an excellent value in terms of price, performance, and portability, made even better by iPadOS.

You get much better specs and hardware than the standard iPad, but not quite the full works that the iPad Pro provides. This, in our opinion, is the 'just right' product for the majority of people on the market in 2023.

If you want a fantastic all-around tablet experience, the new Apple iPad Air delivers, and it does so at a firmly mid-tier price point.

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3. APPLE IPAD 10.2-INCH (2021)

The best budget tablet is exceptional value for money

SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 487g
Dimensions: 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5 mm
OS: iPadOS 15
Screen size: 10.2 inches
Resolution: 1620 x 2160 pixels
CPU: Apple A13 Bionic
RAM: 3GB
Storage: 64GB/256GB
Battery: 32.4‐watt-hour
Rear camera: 8MP f/2.4
Front camera: 1.2MP f/2.2
REASONS TO BUY
+It's the best value iPad
+Apple Pencil support
+With the latest iPadOS software
REASONS TO AVOID
-No landscape stereo speakers
-Apple Pencil is the more awkward first version
The 9th generation iPad is the most affordable full-size Apple tablet, and it improves on its predecessor in a number of ways. The storage options have been increased to 64GB or 256GB, which should be sufficient for most people, while the processor has been upgraded to the slightly faster Apple A13 chip, which should make it more future-proof for receiving iPadOS updates for a long time.

The screen remains bright and sharp, and it has been enhanced with Apple's True Tone technology, which adjusts the color balance to match the ambient lighting in your room, making it much easier on the eyes (and avoids the nasty blue tint that so many screens have). It also supports the first-generation Apple Pencil, which means drawing or taking notes on it is highly accurate and responsive – though the charging process is awkward, and the iPad lacks a way to store the Pencil.

There's also a smart new front camera that follows you if you move while on a video call and automatically keeps you in the center of the frame – it's a really nice touch.

And, despite being less expensive than the other iPad models, it has full support for everything iPadOS can do, as well as a wide range of excellent apps – so it can be a powerful computer as well as a way to watch YouTube. Our full iPad 10.2-inch (9th Gen) review delves even deeper into the subject.

The iPad Air is the superior tablet, with a faster processor, more storage, a better rear camera, and support for the second-generation Apple Pencil. However, it is significantly more expensive, and the entry-level iPad does not suffer from any unnecessary cost-cutting. It's an exceptional device for the price, and it provides excellent value for money. Because they're so cheap, the only cheaper tablets worth considering are Amazon's – see our iPad 10.2 vs Amazon Fire HD 10 comparison to see how these two similarly sized slates compare.

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4. SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S5E

The best Android tablet for value for money

SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 400g
Dimensions: 245 x 160 x 5.5mm
OS: Android 9.0 Pie
Screen size: 10.5-inches
Resolution: 1600 x 2560 pixels
CPU: Snapdragon 670
RAM: 4GB/6GB
Storage: 64GB/128GB
Battery: 7040mAh
Rear camera: 13MP
Front camera: 8MP
REASONS TO BUY
+A genuinely good Android tablet
+Sharp, vibrant screen
+Four-speaker sound by AKG
REASONS TO AVOID
-Specs beaten by Tab S6 and S7

This is Samsung's newest tablet, and while it isn't quite as powerful as the Samsung Tab S6, it's probably better value for money – if your needs aren't as demanding and you want a well-built Android tablet with an excellent screen, the Samsung Tab S5e definitely stands out as one of the best tablets of 2021.

There is no official stylus included, so you can't rest your fingers, but there is an official keyboard dock and cover (available as an optional extra) if you need to type a lot.

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5. APPLE IPAD MINI (2021)

The best small tablet you can buy

SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 293g
Dimensions: 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm
OS: iPadOS 15
Screen size: 8.3 inches
Resolution: 2266 x 1488 pixels
CPU: Apple A15
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64/256GB
Battery: 19.3-watt-hour
Rear camera: 12MP
Front camera: 12MP
REASONS TO BUY
+So portable and light
+Packed with power
+Apple Pencil 2nd Gen support
REASONS TO AVOID
-Screen size limited for working
-No Smart Connector for keyboards

The iPad mini is a small powerhouse of a tablet, with an incredibly fast Apple A15 processor, making it the most powerful iPad outside of the pros.

This transforms the iPad mini into a fantastic creativity machine; with a wide-color high-resolution display and Apple Pencil support, it's a lovely little machine for drawing or editing photos. It can handle massive raw photography files, edit multiple 4K videos at once, create music projects with hundreds of tracks... you name it, the iPad mini can handle it.

Because it is so small and weighs so little, it is the ideal 'throw it in your-bag everyday companion. It's also great for games and entertainment (though the screen isn't OLED, so it's not as good for movie viewing as, say, the Samsung Tab S6 above).

However, while the iPad mini has all of iOS's strengths, such as its large collection of dedicated apps and stable performance even when multitasking, the smaller screen means it can't always take advantage of them. Because of the size of the screen and how it limits what you can see when multitasking, this isn't suitable for office-style productivity (spreadsheets, documents, etc).

The iPad Air is a better versatile productivity machine, but as a fun super-portable tablet you can do anything on, this is impossible to beat, as our full iPad mini (6th Gen) review explains.

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6. APPLE IPAD PRO 12.9-INCH (2021)

The best premium tablet, full stop

SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 682g
Dimensions: 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4 mm
OS: iPadOS 15
Screen size: 12.9
Resolution: 2048 x 2732 pixels
CPU: Apple A12Z Bionic
GPU: Apple GPU (8-core graphics)
Storage: 1TB or 64/256/512GB
Battery: 9720 mAh
Rear camera: 12MP + 10MP + TOF
Front camera: 7MP
REASONS TO BUY
+Unbelievably powerful and slick
+Great battery life
+The best tablet screen ever
REASONS TO AVOID
-No change in typical brightness
-iPadOS can be limiting
-Face ID is awkward at times
As we stated in our review of the iPad Pro (2021) 12.9-inch, this is just Apple showing off. The new mini-LED screen is simply the best display available on a tablet, and the M1 processor inside is lightning-fast. It's ridiculously overpowered for most people, which is why we still recommend the iPad Air for most buyers, but if you need a tablet that's as powerful as a MacBook Pro, the iPad Pro delivers in spades.
The display is what draws you in, but the interior is equally impressive. The M1 here is the version with 8 CPU and 8 GPU cores, just like the M1 MacBook Pro, and you get 8GB of RAM on models up to and including the 512GB storage model, and 16GB of RAM on larger models. A 12MP wide camera and a 10MP ultra-wide camera are included, as well as 2x optical and 5x digital zoom, panoramas up to 63MP, and 4K video recording with five studio-quality microphones.
The only flaw is that iPadOS is still a little clumsy when it comes to multitasking. But, with iPadOS 15 on the way, that won't be an issue for long. The only thing more exciting than this iPad right now is the knowledge that the technology inside it will soon be available in less expensive models.

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7. XIAOMI PAD 5

Another excellent Android tablet

SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 511g
Dimensions: 254.69 x 166.25 x 6.85mm
Screen: 11-inch LCD 1600 x 2560 (WQHD+)
CPU: Snapdragon 860
Storage: 128GB/256GB
Battery: 8720mAh
Rear cameras: 13MP
Front camera: 8MP
REASONS TO BUY
+Excellent WQHD+ screen 
+Decent battery life
+Four powerful speakers 
REASONS TO AVOID
-Camera notch makes it unstable 
-Lacks adaptive refresh rate 

If you want to use an Android tablet for work, play, or streaming, consider the Xiaomi Pad 5 - it runs on the MIUI for Pad software, which is based on Android but has been tweaked to work better on the larger tablet screen.

While the 11-inch display lacks a high-end OLED panel, it still manages to look seriously sleek with 500 nits of peak brightness and a refresh rate of 120Hz. You'll get bold, bright colors in a variety of shades totaling 1 billion. Although the refresh rate is not adaptive, the ability to switch up to 120Hz means that this tablet will also work well for mobile gaming.

The Xiaomi Pad 5 isn't the most powerful slate, but it's powerful enough to handle even the most difficult tablet tasks. Similarly, the battery is adequate; it could be better, but it will easily last a full day of use.

If you're looking for a stylish tablet that also performs admirably, the Xiaomi Pad 5 checks all the boxes.

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8. SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S6

A great all-round Android tablet

SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 420g
Dimensions: 244.5 x 159.5 x 5.7 mm
OS: Android 9
Screen size: 10.5
Resolution: 1600 x 2560 pixels
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
RAM: 6GB/8GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB
Battery: 7040 mAh
Rear camera: 13MP f/2.0 + 5MP f/2.2
Front camera: 8MP f/2.0
REASONS TO BUY
+Streamlined, minimal design
+Screen is fantastic, as usual
+Comes with the impressive S Pen
REASONS TO AVOID
-Productivity just isn’t as good as iPad
-No headphone jack
-Some odd One UI foibles

If you prefer Android to iPad OS and want the best tablet powered by Google software, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is an excellent option. It's beautifully designed, it's packed with power, and with each upgrade, the S Pen becomes more and more useful.

In our review, we praised the slate's sleek design, software sophistication, media playback quality (both audio and visual), and the appearance of that high-resolution 10.5-inch screen. It's not quite as good as the iPad, but it comes close, and it allows you to escape Apple's walled garden (and set a default web browser that isn't Safari – imagine that).

Samsung has even managed to include a dual-lens rear camera on this device, so if you must take photos with your tablet, this will not disappoint. As with the iPad, you'll almost certainly want the official keyboard accessory, which will cost you extra.

Overall, if you're looking for a high-quality Android tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is one of the best options available.

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9. IPAD PRO 11 (2021)

An all-round powerhouse from Apple

SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 468g
Dimensions: 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm
OS: iPadOS 15
Screen size: 11-inch
Resolution: 2388 x 1668 pixels
CPU: Apple M1
Storage: 64GB/256GB/512GB/1TB
microSD slot: No
Battery: 7,812mAh
Rear camera: 12MP
Front camera: 7MP
REASONS TO BUY
+Serious processing power
+Pencil magnetically clips to device
+Easier to slip in a bag than the 12.9-inch model
REASONS TO AVOID
-Doesn't have the mini-LED screen
-No microSD card slot
-Pricey

Perhaps you don't have as much space in your backpack, or you have smaller hands, or you simply don't have as much money to spend – these are some of the reasons you might choose the 11-inch iPad Pro over the 12.9-inch model.

Despite its smaller size, the iPad Pro 11 has the same internals as the larger model: it's extremely powerful, it's incredibly versatile (if you're willing to pay extra for the keyboard cover folio)... In a nutshell, it's a beast of a tablet.

It can run apps and games without breaking a sweat (making it ideal for on-the-go word processing), and with iPadOS now available, it's a better laptop replacement than ever. Expensive, but highly recommended.

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10. MICROSOFT SURFACE GO 2

The best tablet running Windows 10

SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 1.15 pounds
Dimensions: 245 x 175 x 8.3mm
OS: Windows 10
Screen size: 10-inch
Resolution: 1,800 x 1,200
CPU: 1.6GHz Intel Pentium Gold
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB
Battery: Unknown
Rear camera: 8MP
Front camera: 5MP
REASONS TO BUY
+Brilliant ergonomics
+Fantastic pen and keyboard 
+Can run full-fat Windows 10 
REASONS TO AVOID
-Not as slick app experience compared to rivals

In our official Microsoft Surface Go review, we came to the following conclusions:

"The Microsoft Surface Go is a professional-level tablet computer that successfully enters a market previously dominated by Apple's iPad Pro and Samsung's Galaxy Tab ranges. It doesn't quite match the slickness of its competitors, but its competitors don't have Windows' flexibility."

Simply put, this compact and stylish Windows 10 tablet has made its way into our best tablets guide – it provides something that the other tablets on this list do not, and it does so at an affordable price. It's difficult to find a well-made and stylish tablet with solid internal hardware and a screen that runs Windows 10.

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The best tablet on the market in 2021 for users who want the Windows 10 operating system but want to keep the price low.